Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — The United States has been concerned over Lebanon’s
assistance to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama has
repeatedly warned the Lebanese government not to help the Assad crackdown on
the opposition.

The officials said such aid by Beirut could endanger U.S. military
assistance to the Lebanese military and security forces.

Still, the Lebanese Army has been cooperating with the Assad regime.
Officials acknowledged that the army was blocking arms smuggling and anti-Assad fighters from leaving Lebanon for Syria.

On April 23, Lebanese Army intelligence said it arrested three men
alleged to have tried to smuggle weapons to Syria. The Army said two
Lebanese and a Syrian were driving a truck loaded with surface-to-air
missiles and other weapons for the Sunni rebels.

“There have been continuous warnings to Lebanon not to harm the Syrian opposition,” an official said.

On April 23, U.S. Agency for International Development assistant
administrator Mara Rudman arrived in Lebanon and discussed programs with the
government of Prime Minister Najib Miqati. Ms. Rudman met Lebanese Education
Minister Hassan Diab and reviewed a $75 million program, which included
facilities in Beirut and Saida.

Three days earlier, U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met Miqati
and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the Sunni revolt in Syria.
The U.S. embassy said Ms. Connelly “renewed the commitment of the United
States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.”

Washington has relayed more than $750 million in U.S. military aid to
Lebanon since 2006. The administration has been preparing to expand defense
exports, including helicopters as well as the first U.S. naval vessel in
2012.

U.S. Central Command deputy chief Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks reviewed the
Sunni revolt with Lebanese military commanders during a visit on April 17.
Officials said Brooks urged Lebanese Chief of Staff Gen. Jean Kahwaji to
refrain from helping the Assad regime.

“Lt. Gen. Brooks renewed the United States’ commitment to a stable,
sovereign, and independent Lebanon,” the U.S. embassy said. “He remarked on
the U.S. military’s ongoing support in strengthening the professional
capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to serve the Lebanese people as the
sole legitimate defense force to secure Lebanon’s borders and defend the
sovereignty and independence of the state.”

  Barack Obama, Bashar Assad, Lebanese Army, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. ambassador Maura Connelly, U.S.-backed Lebanon military aiding Syrian regime